Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

The 19-race Formula One season, which starts in Melbourne on March 17, will have no new Grands Prix this year and one fewer than last season following the postponement of New Jersey's debut to 2014.

The following box details each race and its key characteristics.

MARCH 17 - AUSTRALIA

Albert Park street circuit. 58 laps of 5.303km. Total distance 307.574km. 2012 winner: Jenson Button (McLaren). Melbourne has hosted what has become one of the most popular races on the calendar since 1996.

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Sepang circuit. 56 laps of 5.543km. Total distance 310.408km. 2012 winner: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari). The hot and steamy Hermann Tilke-designed track, next to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, made its debut in 1999.

Image: Fernando Alonso of Spain and Ferrari drives on his way to winning the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix at the Sepang Circuit on March 25, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaPhotographs: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Shanghai International Circuit. 56 laps of 5.451km. Total distance 305.066km. 2012 winner: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes). Built on a vast, and some might say overwhelming, scale in the shape of the Chinese character 'shang'. On the calendar since 2004.

Image: ebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing drives during the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 15, 2012 in Shanghai, ChinaPhotographs: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir. 57 laps of 5.412km. Total distance 308.238km. 2012 winner: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull). Another Tilke circuit and the first in the Middle East to host a grand prix in 2004. Civil unrest on the Gulf island has cast a cloud over the race since 2011.

Image: Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and Lotus leads from team mate Romain Grosjean of France and Lotus during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International CircuitPhotographs: Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona. 66 laps of 4.655km. Total distance 307.104km. 2012 winner: Pastor Maldonado (Williams). A regular test destination and once the most predictable of circuits, familiar to all teams since 1991.

Image: Mark Webber of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing drives during day one of Formula One winter test at the Circuit de CatalunyaPhotographs: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Monte Carlo. 78 laps of 3.340km. Total distance 260.520km. 2012 winner: Mark Webber (Red Bull). The slowest and shortest race on the calendar but also the most glamorous. Steeped in history, Monaco is the one every driver wants to win.

Image: The field led by Mark Webber of Australia and Red Bull Racing gets underway at the start of the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco on May 27, 2012 in Monte Carlo, MonacoPhotographs: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal. 70 laps of 4.361km. Total distance 305.270km. 2012 winner: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren). A popular destination with teams and sponsors since 1978, the circuit is on the Ile Notre-Dame, an artificial island in Montreal's St Lawrence River.

Image: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing leads the field into the first corner at the start of the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 10, 2012 in Montreal, CanadaPhotographs: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Silverstone. 52 laps of 5.891km. Total distance of 306.198km. 2012 winner: Webber. The former World War Two airfield hosted the first F1 championship grand prix in 1950.

Image: Fernando Alonso of Spain and Ferrari drives on his way to finishing first during qualifying for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit on July 7, 2012 in Northampton, EnglandPhotographs: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Nuerburgring. 60 laps of 5.148km. Total distance of 308.623km. 2012 winner: Alonso. The original Nordschleife circuit was known as the 'Green Hell' but the current one, used since 1984, is a far more tame affair if still atmospheric.

Image: Lewis Hamilton (C) of Great Britain and McLaren takes the lead at the first corner during the start of the German Formula One Grand Prix at the Nurburgring on July 24, 2011 in Nuerburg, GermanyPhotographs: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Image: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren celebrates after winning the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring on July 29, 2012 in Budapest, HungaryPhotographs: Vladimir Rys/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Spa-Francorchamps. 44 laps of 7.004km. Total distance 308.052km. 2012 winner: Button. The longest lap on the calendar and one of the fastest circuits, Spa is a blast down memory lane. Often wet, always thrilling for drivers and fans.

Image: Jenson Button of Great Britain and McLaren drives through Eau Rouge on his way to securing pole position during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit of Spa Francorchamps on September 1, 2012 in Spa Francorchamps, BelgiumPhotographs: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Monza. 53 laps of 5.793km. Total distance 306.720km. 2012 winner: Hamilton. The temple of Italian motorsport and home of Ferrari, the circuit is the fastest in Formula One. The now disused and crumbling banking dates back to 1922.

Image: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren drives on his way to winning the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza on September 9, 2012 in Monza, ItalyPhotographs: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Image: Fernando Alonso of Spain and Ferrari drives during practice for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2012 in SingaporePhotographs: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Korea International Circuit, Yeongam. 55 laps of 5.615km. Total distance 308.630km. 2012 winner: Vettel. An anti-clockwise Tilke circuit, located in a shipbuilding centre 370km south-west of Seoul. Attendances have been low since the first 2010 race.

Image: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren drives during practice for the Korean Formula One Grand Prix at the Korea International Circuit on October 12, 2012 in Yeongam-gun, South KoreaPhotographs: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Suzuka. 53 laps of 5.807km. Total distance 307.471km. 2012 winner: Vettel. A classic figure of eight layout, owned by Honda and built in 1962 as a test track. Fast, flowing and one of the greatest challenges for any F1 driver.

Image: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing drives on his way to winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit on October 7, 2012 in Suzuka, JapanPhotographs: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida. 60 laps of 5.125km. Total distance 307.249km. 2012 winner: Vettel. The first race at the undulating Tilke track south of Delhi was held in 2011 and became an instant hit.

Image: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing leads the field into the first corner at the start of the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at Buddh International Circuit on October 28, 2012 in Noida, IndiaPhotographs: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Yas Marina. 55 laps of 5.554km. Total distance 305.355km. 2012 winner: Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus). The first day-to-night race made its debut in 2009. A spectacular no-expense-spared Tilke circuit that raised the bar for opulence.

Image: Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and Lotus drives during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on November 4, 2012 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesPhotographs: Vladimir Rys/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Circuit of the America. Austin, Texas. 56 laps of 5.513km. Total distance 308.405km. 2012 winner: Hamilton. Anti-clockwise and the first purpose-built F1 track in the United States. A massive hit on its debut last year.

Image: Mark Webber of Australia and Red Bull Racing drives during practice for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas on November 16, 2012 in Austin, TexasPhotographs: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Formula One: Key characteristics of each Grand Prix

Interlagos, Sao Paulo. 71 laps of 4.309km. Total distance 305.909km. 2012 winner: Button. Dilapidated but hugely atmospheric bowl of a circuit that hosted its first race in 1973. Home of the late Ayrton Senna.

Image: Michael Schumacher of Germany and Mercedes GP drives during qualifying for the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 24, 2012 in Sao Paulo, BrazilPhotographs: Paul Gilham/Getty Images